Oatmeal is a good choice for breakfast this time of year. Unfortunately, instant oatmeal is a waste of calories health-wise, and I have NO time to spare in the mornings. You can cook regular oatmeal in the microwave, but you need a huge bowl for one serving and it usually boils over anyway, and it's a mess either way. This weekend I discovered a way to have REAL oatmeal with no fuss.

I made a large batch on the stove, ate one serving for breakfast, and put the rest in the fridge. A few days later I scooped out another serving and warmed it in the microwave. It was just as good, if a bit creamier (which some people would like anyway). I'm not sure how long you'd want to keep it ... no more than a week, probably. And, be sure to cover it with plastic wrap right on the surface, else it forms a crust on top. But, this gives you all the convenience of instant with all the health benefits of non-instant.

Great idea! I may copy the URL of your post into South Beach as lots of chicks there eat oatmeal for Phase II breakfasts.
Thanks for posting this.

I have been doing this for some time now. In fact I eat so much oatmeal (I only eat Stee Cut Oats) I have begun making a double batch. So 8 cups of water and 2 cups of Steel Cut Oats.

Saves time in the morning. Which is important because I have a ten month old to get up and get fed and ready for the sitter.

i eat bob's 8 grain wheatless cereal in the mornings. i boil water, add it (3/4cup) to the measured out cereal (1/4 cup) and heat in the microwave for one minute. i take it out and stir and return to the microwave for 30 sec. then its done. i find that it is so much easier to cook than oatmeal, and keeps me full much longer. i thought 1/4 cup wouldn't be a lot but it really bulks up when you add water. i mix in three scambled egg whites to round off the meal.

nutritional info

Serving Size 1/4 cup (40g)
Servings Per Container 33.00
Calories 110.00
Calories from Fat 20.00
Total Fat 2.00g
Saturated Fat 1.00g
Cholesterol 0.00mg
Sodium 5.00mg
Total Carbohydrate 20.00g
Dietary Fiber 2.00g
Sugars 0.00g
Protein 4.00g
Ingredients whole grain oats, oat bran,brown rice, corn, soybeans, millet, barley, sunflower seeds and flaxseed.

Steel Cut Oats -

1/4 cup dry
150 calories
2 grams of fat
4 grams of dietary fiber

I think 1/4 cup dry comes out to about 3/4 cup cooked. I think... LOL I eat 1 cup cooked.

oh, and another thing i really like about bob's 8 grain is you don't have to eat it like typical oatmeal. it has more of a grits consistency. this morning i am having it with salsa, shredded cabbage, oyster mushrooms, snow snap peas and green onions along with my eggs. i call it my breakfast scramble. some people can't stand stuff like this for breakfast but when i eat a veggie packed breakfast, i stay full much longer. also i have a heaping bowl that i probably won't be able to finish and its only 240 calories.

Laura!

I love veggies for breakfast. I would be so happy with a big bowl of fresh steamed green beans. LOL

When I could eat eggs I loved egg whites with sliced tomatoes. MMMM yummy.

That sounds really good. I will pick some up this weekend. Do you know if its Core? If its not, I will have to pass on it.

i am not sure what core is. if you'd like to do some research on the web, the full name is bob's red mill 8 grain wheatless cereal. bob has a website with about 50 million diff. products. (flours, grains, beans, soups, baking mixes etc.) they are sold mostly at whole food/natural graceries or in the whole foodsection of your grocery store.

Core is a Weight Watcher Plan. I will have to check my books.

Yes, I have Scottish Oats from Bob's Red Mill. They are excellent too

Hi -

I cook old fashioned oats in the microwave with no problem. I use a bigger than cereal bowl, but not huge. 1/2 cup oats, salt to taste (couple of shakes), 1 cup water, nuke for 2 minutes and let sit for another couple. Add "stuff" as desired. I have an OLD microwave - close to 25 years, honest - and it may be that 2 minutes would be too long in a newer one. It did boil over when I used my regular cereal bowl. I love Bob's cereals too, but I find I need to have some protein at breakfast as well or I'm starving by 10 am (eat at 6:45 or so). This morning I had 1/2 my lunch at 10:30, and that was after waiting 1/2 hour to be sure I was really hungry. LOL

I've also done that forever, Pat. I think it works great and I don't have to make a whole bunch when I am the only one going to eat it. ...Sis

Oh yes, on my microwave it only takes about 1 min 30 secs.

I do old fashioned oats in the micro in a cereal bowl. I put the oats in the bowl, add boiling water and let sit a few minutes while I shower or make coffee or get the kids breakfast (or soaking overnight works fine too). Then I add about a cup of frozen berries on top and pop it for 5 minutes on high (but my micro isn't that powerful). Most of the water is already absorbed by the time I stick it in the micro and the fruit on top seems to help weigh it down and keep it in the bowl. I mix in a container of ff/sf yogurt and there's my fruit/protein/grain breakfast combo that's low in fat and quite filling for the number of calories (around 300).

LOL ... how did this turn into a thread to convince me that somehow I've misunderstood how to cook oatmeal in the microwave?

I just thought it was cool to find out it was possible to cook a big batch and reheat. I personally find it more convenient. If you think it's a stupid tip, then just pass it by, OK?

Oh no, I don't think we're trying to convince you of anything like that! Just sharing how else we've managed microwaving oatmeal without the mess. (At least that's all I was doing). Your idea is a great one for those of us who are short on time in the am.